A contract to create the first recreation master plan for Veterans Memorial Park in more than 15 years was unanimously approved at the April 11 Macon County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Funding for the plan, not to exceed $37,980, will come out of the parks and recreation department’s $155,000 originally set aside for planned pickleball courts.
Last month, Macon County Parks and Recreation Director Seth Adams got approval to seek out a master plan for the park, saying that some of the facilities haven’t been updated in decades. The decision “takes a step back” from pursuing new pickleball courts for now, as Adams stated, but he and the commissioners feel like it’ll be a long-term benefit.
“That park hasn’t been touched since the 70s,” Adams said. “It’s time to do a plan.”
Adams said the plan will focus on the Rec Park and the outdoor facilities at the community building, but not the community building. He approached McGill and Associates, who is helping the Town of Franklin with the Whitmire Property for its recreational master plan, to save money since McGill was already working in the community.
Jim Ford with McGill and Associates said a master plan should include extensive public input for what could be included from all over the county.
“Before you set out spending money to build things you’re not sure people want, it’s a good idea to do one of these plans,” Ford said, noting the last one Macon County had was in 2005.
Another benefit to doing a recreation master plan is that it would make potential renovations to the park eligible for state money from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). Ford said the PARTF application process is competitive, so the county would need to build its case as much as possible. That includes getting as much citizen input as possible, with Ford saying he likes 5% to 10% of a population taking part.
County Manager Derek Roland added that he doesn’t think Macon County will apply for a PARTF grant this year.
The process would have public comment periods, then another public meeting to share the concepts worked on by an advisory committee formed for that purpose. That committee will include the five-member recreation board and the two commissioner liaisons (Josh Young and John Shearl).
Young asked about certain aspects of the contract, including the time frame. Ford replied that they could start immediately and be here often since McGill is already working with the Town of Franklin. Ford said typically these types of renovations are done in phases after a master plan is developed.